Our mission: “Keeping Greene County history alive.” Our motto: “With our programming, museum and special events, we not only preserve the history of our county in west central Iowa, we make that history come alive again!” Our inspiration: “If you’re going to be presenting history, and you want people to pay any attention to it,” said the late James H. Andrew, “you better make it fun!”

Now, let Ces Brunow, our past president, tell you more about our long-term financial future, and how you can help.

It’s time to support our mission of “keeping Greene County history alive.”

The Greene County Historical Society is, in reality, one organization with two separate missions. The monthly meetings where members gather to learn and socialize are a vital part of what keeps the organization alive. The benefit is huge and the monetary cost is minimal.

What separates the historical society from other local organizations is that it owns and maintains two buildings and their contents. The responsibility to preserve and protect the 11,000-plus historical artifacts as well as the aging museum and fairgrounds buildings is a daunting task when you consider that the only income is an annual (not guaranteed) stipend from the Greene County Board of Supervisors, membership fees, and an unknown amount in donations and memorials.

We have learned that creating special events makes a difference, bringing in more people and funds. But these involve huge effort from a dwindling number of workers, and it remains a continuing challenge to make ends meet. There is never a guarantee of income, only a guarantee of expense. Utilities and insurance alone equal almost $7,000 per year!

Three years ago, then-president Jeane Burk proposed to create an Endowment Fund to ensure the continuing financial security of the Greene County Historical Society and Museum. The eventual goal of $100,000 would allow us to withdraw $5,000 per year from interest/dividends earned to help cover expenses as needed.

Over a number of years, the GCHS board of directors has shown good stewardship by building up savings to provide an adequate cushion in case of emergency. (An example was the $7,000 roof repair four years ago.) Use of the $20,000 currently in readily-accessible savings is restricted to $5,000 emergency reserves, $10,000 capital improvements, and $5,000 for grant matching funds, as recommended by financial experts. If and when savings grows beyond this point, i.e. no emergency funds needed or generous contributions given, the board can choose to send moneys to the Endowment Fund as it did this year. We currently have an endowment balance of $49,111, so we are still building. No moneys will be withdrawn until the $100,000 goal is met.

Please consider contributing to the ongoing financial stability of this worthwhile organization by donating to either the Endowment Fund or General Fund. Because of our 501C3 designation, donations may qualify for tax benefits. Your gift, whatever its size, will help preserve the Greene County Historical Society and Museum for future generations. Thank you!

GCHS Endowment Fund

The Endowment Fund was established in 2013 to ensure the ongoing financial stability of the organization and the museum.

Donations can include cash in any amount, stocks & bonds, dividends, bequests – even loads of grain. Checks are payable to the “Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines.” Please write in the memo space “Greene County Historical Society Endow Iowa.”

Did you know there were so many historical sites in this county? See many of them on the map here!

Videos

See interviews with historical figures, events and programs we have recorded, and much more!

Historical Trivia

How many courthouse structures have been built on the site of the current Greene County Courthouse?

Three

Two

Just the one there now

Correct

Correct!

There have been three courthouses built where the Greene County Courthouse stands today. Ground was broken on the current courthouse in November of 1915, the cornerstone was set in May 1916 and the new building was dedicated in October of 1917. The centennial celebration of the courthouse is already underway, with events being planned by the “Courthouse 100” committee, with support from the Greene County Historical Society. You can learn more about the courthouse history and the celebration plans on the Facebook page “Courthouse 100: Greene County, Iowa.”